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Golden State Warriors: Top 20 Draft Picks in History

By Ryan Viera

March 23, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; 1975 NBA Championship Golden State Warriors team members Clifford Ray (left), Rick Barry (center), and Jamaal Wilkes (right) address the media in a press conference before the game between the Warriors and the Washington Wizards at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
March 23, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; 1975 NBA Championship Golden State Warriors team members Clifford Ray (left), Rick Barry (center), and Jamaal Wilkes (right) address the media in a press conference before the game between the Warriors and the Washington Wizards at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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11. Mitch Richmond

While Mitch Richmond only spent three seasons in a Warriors uniform, his contribution to the franchise was much bigger than that. As a valued member of the famed “Run TMC” squad of the late early 90’s, he has become a name even new fans know.

Mitch was the 5th overall pick in the 1988 NBA Draft and the Warriors felt his impact from the moment he stepped on the court. As a rookie, Richmond was the Dubs’ second leading scorer, averaging an eye-popping 22 points per game, which won him the 1989 Rookie of the Year award.

Adding Tim Hardaway the next year didn’t stop Richmond from playing 2nd fiddle in the scoring department yet again. In his three years as a Warrior Mitch averaged 22.7 points, 5.5 rebounds and shot an impressive 48.6 percent from the field.

In Mitch’s last year on the team, the 1991 Warriors would see their deepest playoff run until 2007, and during that span Golden State would make the playoffs just twice.

“Playing with that team it was probably one of the funnest teams that people recognized the Bay Area about,” Richmond said ahead of a first round matchup with the Houston Rockets last postseason. “After we got our butt kicked, I knew they were going to change something.”

The next season, Richmond was traded to the Kings for rights to rookie Billy Owens. Mitch went on to have a very successful tenure with the Kings, earning six straight All-Star appearances from 1993-1998 including All-Star game MVP in 1995.

While he was part of a flash in the pan of Warrior success, his contribution to the franchise remains great, and deserves a spot as one of the greatest Warriors of all-time.

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